Christiane J. Marshall

September 05, 2012

Christiane J. MarshallChristiane J. Marshall passed away August 29th, after 89 wonderful years of life. Chris was born in Charleroi, Belgium in 1923. While attending university she was active in the Belgian resistance during World War II, for which she received numerous awards including two Croix de Guerre from the Belgian government. When the US Army defeated the Germans in Belgium she went to work for the US Army. There, she met her future husband Frank, who then was a captain in the office where she worked. In 1946 she married Frank in Belgium and became a war bride, which began their 63 years of loving marriage until he died in 2009. In late 1946 they traveled to California which was to be their home State for the next 65 years. With great pride Chris became a naturalized citizen in 1948. In 1950 she and Frank moved from Carmel Valley to Newport Beach. It was there that she started a lifetime of volunteer and charity work. She was a doer and was someone routinely sought out whenever a volunteer was needed. Initially, her efforts were devoted to activities and organizations in support of her five sons and later to her areas of special interests.Chris served as PTA President and in other PTA positions at the schools attended by her five sons including Newport Beach Elementary School, Horace Ensign Junior High School and Newport Harbor High School. In recognition of her work she was honored with a lifetime membership in the Newport Elementary School PTA. She was also active and served in leadership positions in numerous organizations including the Cub Scouts of America, American Field Service, March of Dimes and the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. She was past board president of the Las Marineras Auxiliary of the Harbor Area Auxiliary for the Family Service Association of Orange County; the Newport Beach Art Museum (now known as the Orange County Museum of Art); and the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church Guild. Chris was also a founding member of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and a past member of its board. Chris is the recipient over the years of numerous awards and honors for her efforts and dedication as a volunteer. For instance, she was honored in 1964 as the outstanding naturalized citizen by the DAR. In addition, In 1979 she was selected from local service organizations as the outstanding community volunteer and awarded the Athena Medallion by the Newport Harbor Panhellenic. Until the age of 88, Chris was extremely active in the Hoag Hospital Auxiliary. She joined in 1986 serving in various leadership positions. She was a past Auxiliary President, historian, Hunter Thrift Shop President, Vin Jorgenson award winner and until recently a book keeper. Over a 15 year period she volunteered in excess of 12,400 hours in the Hoag Hospital thrift and gift shops. She was also honored with a lifetime membership in the Auxiliary.Chris is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Frank, Bob and Debi, John and Michele, Philip and Diane and Paul and Kelly; grandchildren: Chip, Christine (Erik), Andrew, Scott (Denise), Ryan, Michael (Rachelle), Jeff, David (Melanie), Morgan, Maren, Courtney and Megan; and, one great grandchild, Ethan.In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Hoag Hospital Foundation or the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation. Services will be held on September 10th at Our Lady of Mt Carmel at 10 AM.